Municipality of Sioux Lookout

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Sioux Lookout is a community of 5,500 people.

Below are the demographics for Sioux Lookout from the 2006 Census.

Based on the 2006 census for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, once again, there has been an increase in population by 3% to 5,500 people. Sioux Lookout is one of the few communities in Northwestern Ontario to experience an increase in population.

The population density is now 13.7 people per square kilometre.

Family Structure

Education (2006 Census)

• 20.8 % of the residents aged 15 and over (1,145) had no diploma, certificate or degree
• 17% of the residents aged 15 and over (945) had their high school graduation certificate
• 24% of the residents aged 15 and over (1320) had a trade certificate or a certificate/diploma from college
• 9.6% of the residents aged 15 and over (530) had a university degree.

Ethnicity (2006 Census)

The majority of the population use English at work. The 2006 census revealed that the ethnic cultural characteristics of the community were:

• Aboriginal (1450);
• Chinese (25);
• South Asian (10);
• Black (65);
• Filipino (20);
• Arab (35)
• Japanese (20)

Labour Force

• There are over 4,000 residents aged 15 and over
• 3,190 are active in the labour force
• 3,060 are employed
• 135 are unemployed with an unemployment rate of 4.2%
• Health care and social services is the major employer in Sioux Lookout

HOUSING

Several Real Estate businesses operate in Sioux Lookout and include:

• Gina McFee-Bernier, Royal LaPage Realty
• Latitude 50 Realty
• Molstad Realty
• Sioux Mountain Realty

According to Statistics Canada, the average value of owned dwellings in 2006 was $184,898.

According to Statistics Canada, the median monthly payment for a rented dwelling in 2006 was $740.

The Municipality of Sioux Lookout Non‑Profit Housing Corporation provides 154 units for rent in Sioux Lookout. They are summarized as follows:

Approximately one-third of the units owned by the Non-Profit Housing Corporation are rent, geared-to-income, subsidized units that provide affordable housing to low-income persons.

The Non-Profit Housing Corporation's occupancy rate is 100%. The average market rent for a three-bedroom unit is $883.00 per month.

Kenora District Housing manages 59 units owned by the Ontario Housing Corporation, 10 of which are on an interim basis. The units include 37 senior units and 12 units in Hudson. The occupancy rate is 100% with vacant units filled from a waiting list. Rent is geared-to-income with adjustments made depending on whether the Housing Authority or the tenant pays the utilities. Tenants in receipt of social assistance have their rent calculated from a rent scale based on the number of beneficiaries receiving assistance.

The average market rent is $759 per month for a two bedroom unit, $792 for a three bedroom and $830 for a four bedroom. Applications for housing in Sioux Lookout, as well as the waiting list, are held and managed by the Sioux Lookout Non-Profit Housing Corporation. The Housing Authority office maintains the Hudson waiting list.

The Nitawin Development Corporation was incorporated in 1986. It provides affordable rental units to First Nation families of low to moderate income. They currently own 45 residential housing units in the community comprised of 35 single-family dwellings and 2 five-plexes. They have a waiting list with many applicants. They charge rent on a geared-to-income basis, which, in most cases is 25% of the household's gross income. Nitawin provides grounds keeping and maintenance services for Elders and those with disabilities. They also provide tenant-counselling services when needed (budget counselling, referrals to other services, etc).

Land Development

Sewer and Water upgrades and extension out Highway 72 was completed in 2008. The extension has created a Highway Commercial Corridor for development purposes and provided much needed servicing to the new MNR Fire Management Centre to be constructed in 2009. Sewer and Water upgrades and extension to the Municipal Airport is now complete and has created new serviced commercial and industrial properties for development at the Airport. Additionally, a future extension of servicing is proposed for Municipal property at Bigwood Lake on Highway 516, near the Airport. The property exchange with Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre was completed in December of 2005 and has opened up the area behind the "Bill George" Extended Care facility for residential development. The Municipality is currently working on making this their prime area for residential development. The Development Services Department is creating 90 additional building lots in urban Sioux Lookout and is anticipating the purchase of Crown Land for development in the community of Hudson, both lake view and lake front properties.